Further to the naval developments described in my previous posting, I have added one vessel to the Hellenic (Greek) navy, and made modifications to one of the Turcowaz (Ottoman).
The Hellenic now boasts the fine armoured cruiser Georgios Averof, heavily armed and armoured, and a fast sailor. Apparently the Greeks themselves were so proud of this addition to their naval strength, they classed this ship a battleship. From what I can discern from the naval actions in which she served, it seems they used her as such, and all. I made this ship yesterday.
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| HNS Georgios Averof at sea. |
It was whilst perusing a number of sources (thanks to Neil Patterson and Bob Cordery) that it began to dawn on me that I had got the Turkish vessel Messudieh wrong, by giving it twin-gun turrets. After some thought I decided the error was fixable, and that I'd do something about the broadside casemate guns as well. Here we go...
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| Turcowaz coastal battleship Messudieh after its 'refit'. |
Yes, a much improved appearance, methinks. Of course, in the Turcowaz navy, those fore and aft 'main' guns are the real deal, not the 'quaker' guns installed historically.
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| Georgios Averof and Messudieh rendering passing honours before the War. |
Construction, by the way, was from balsa, cotton bud, toothpick and drinking straw. Uniquely, some of Messudieh's casemate guns are bits of wire.
The Turcowaz navy will be receiving two more 'capital' ships - a second pre-Dreadnought of the Turgut Reis type (Hayreddin Barbarossa), and a 'protected' cruiser, Hamidieh.
These models are excellent. Please explain what a "quaker gun" is.
ReplyDeleteMaudlin Jack Tar,
DeleteQuaker guns are fake guns. They are so named because Quakers were pacifists, and the fake guns were incapable of firing.
All the best,
Bob
Cheers Bob. I thought, it can't be anything to do with the Quakers!
DeleteThanks for the compliment, Maudlin!
DeleteArchduke Piccolo,
ReplyDeleteA couple of absolutely spiffing models! They really captured the look of the two ships.
All the best,
Bob
Hi Bob -
DeleteYou know, I have had a heck of a lot of fun making these!
Cheers,
Archduke Piccolo
Your scratch-built ships look so good Ion! Brilliant result from 'everyday' materials. I am so, so impressed.
ReplyDeleteRegards, James
Hi James -
DeleteI am very pleased with them myself! I haven't gone for 'finish', but rather, speed. Just last night I began and finished the last two vessels I intend to make for this collection. I'll show them in my next posting.
Cheers,
Archduke Piccolo.
Hello there Archduke,
ReplyDeleteSuperb looking! The Messudieh is a ship I shall be building in her original configuration....ooops, I let that out of the bag....
Really capture the look of the original and I am looking forward to seeing them in action - just don’t offer the crew of the Averoff any Stilton....
All the best,
DC
Hi David -
DeleteI admit I didn't expect the construction to be such fun, and the final appearance so appealing. A bonus! I presume that you will be building Messudieh as it began: an ironclad?
You might have to explain the 'Averoff'/Stilton thing - or is it some sort of pun on 'Averoff'?
Cheers,
Archduke Piccolo.
Hi Archduke,
ReplyDeleteThe Greek crew were offered Stilton cheese by the British and it very nearly caused an international incident as they thought it was off....
Messudieh as she was built - yes indeed.
The models you have produced look early good and have that all important flavour - lovely job!
All the best,
DC